ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Stage I and II of GRAP continue to be in force
The Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan  held a meeting today to review the progress of the actions implemented under Stage II along with Stage I of the GRAP in the entire NCR.
As per the dynamic model and weather/ meteorological forecast provided by IMD/ IITM, the overall air quality is likely to fluctuate largely between ‘Poor’ to lower end of ‘Very Poor’ categories in the next few days. The predominant surface wind is predicted to be coming from the North/ North-West direction in Delhi.
Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index  clocked at 289 today as per the 4 PM CPCB Bulletin. Despite a slight dip in the overall air quality of Delhi with IMD/ IITM forecasts not predicting any major deterioration of air quality in the coming days, the Sub-Committee, after comprehensively reviewing the air quality scenario and relevant aspects has taken the decision that ongoing actions under Stage II of the GRAP along with Stage I shall continue and there does not seem a need to invoke Stage III of GRAP at this stage.
The GRAP Sub-Committee of the Commission is closely watching the situation and will review the air quality scenario accordingly.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviews Ministry of Defence action plan to deal with COVID-19;
Urges Armed Forces, Defence PSUs and other organisations to gear up preparedness and provide all required assistance to civilian authorities
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a review meeting with senior officials of Ministry of Defence  on the action plan of the Ministry to deal with the COVID-19 situation, here today. During the meeting, Raksha Mantri expressed appreciation on the proactive role played by the Armed Forces and various departments of MoD in evacuating Indian nationals as well as foreigners from COVID-19 affected countries and ensuring them proper care at various quarantine facilities. He urged the Armed Forces and other departments to gear up their preparedness and provide all required assistance to the civilian administration at various levels.
At the meeting, officials briefed Shri Rajnath Singh on various measures and assistance provided so far. The Indian Air Force has made several sorties and evacuated Indian nationals from affected areas in China, Japan and Iran.
Various quarantine facilities of the Armed Forces have, so far, handled 1,462 evacuees and discharged 389. Presently, 1,073 persons are being provided care at the facilities in Manesar, Hindan, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Mumbai. Additional quarantine facilities are on standby with 950 beds capacity.
Defence Research and Development Organisation  laboratories have manufactured 20,000 litres of sanitizer and supplied to various organisations, including 10,000 litres to Delhi police. DRDO has also supplied 10,000 masks to Delhi police personnel. It is tying up with some private companies to make personal protection equipment such as body suits and also ventilators.
Ordnance Factory Board has also ramped up production of sanitizers, masks and body suits. Bharat Electronics Limited is also engaged in manufacturing of ventilators.
Army medical teams deployed in the Maldives have since returned after completion of their mission. Army medical teams and two ships of Navy are on standby to provide required assistance to friendly countries in the neighbourhood.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Secretary  Shri Raj Kumar, Secretary  Smt Sanjeevanee Kutty and Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy attended the meeting.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
STARTUP INDIA SEED FUND
The Government is implementing the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme  to provide financial assistance to Startups through approved Incubators for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization. Under the scheme, no project based funding is provided.
Under the SISFS, Rs. 945 crore has been approved for period of 4 years starting from 2021-22. As of 10th December 2021, 48 incubators have been approved for financial assistance of Rs.192.25 crore for providing onward seed fund to select startups. 115 startups have been selected so far by incubators under the scheme.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri SomParkash, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
Increasing enrolment of girls in school
Department of School Education and Literacy , Ministry of Education is implementing the scheme of Samagra Shiksha, effective from 2018-19 to support States and UTs in implementation of the RTE Act, 2009. Ensuring equity and inclusion at all levels of school education is one of the major objectives of Samagra Shiksha.
As per the data available on Unified District Information System for Education  / UDISE+, Gross Enrolment Ratio  of girls for 2018-19 and 2019-20 shows an increase in the enrolment of girls at all levels of school education, details of which are as under:
|
|
Year
|
|
Primary
|
|
Upper Primary
|
|
Secondary
|
|
Higher Secondary
|
|
2018-19
|
|
101.78
|
|
88.54
|
|
76.93
|
|
50.84
|
|
2019-20
|
|
103.69
|
|
90.46
|
|
77.83
|
|
52.40

Bridging gender and social category gaps at all levels of school education is one of the major objectives of the Samagra Shiksha. Under Samagra Shiksha, to ensure greater participation of girls in education, including in the state of Uttar Pradesh, various interventions have been targeted which include opening of schools in the neighbourhood to make access easier for girls, free uniform and text-books to girls up to Class VIII, additional teachers and residential quarters for teachers inremote/hilly areas, appointment of additional teachers including women teachers, Stipend to CWSN girls from class I to class XII, separate toilets for girls, teachers' sensitization programmes to promote girls participation, gender-sensitive teaching-learning materials including text books etc.
To reduce gender gaps at all levels of school education, there is a provision of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas  under Samagra Shiksha. KGBVs are residential schools from class VI to XII for girls belonging to disadvantaged groups such as SC, ST, OBC, Minority and Below Poverty Line . A total of 5627 KGBVs have been sanctioned under Samagra Shiksha as on 28.02.2022, in which 665130 girls have been enrolled.
In the state of Uttar Pradesh 760 KGBVs are operational having an enrolment of 78820 girls.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
India-Vietnam Leaders’ Virtual Summit
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a Virtual Summit with H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The two Prime Ministers reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives, and also discussed regional and global issues. A ‘Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People’ document was adopted during the Summit, to guide the future development of the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both leaders also welcomed the signing of a Plan of Action for period 2021-2023 to implement the Joint Vision.
The leaders affirmed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in all areas of engagement. They agreed to support each other’s national development priorities and work together towards the shared objective of a peaceful, stable, secure, free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation against common global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic. They agreed to maintain active cooperation for ensuring access to vaccines against the pandemic. Based on strong convergence of views on many global and regional issues, the leaders decided that India and Vietnam would coordinate closely at multilateral forums, including at the UN Security Council, where they will serve concurrently in 2021.
The Prime Ministers agreed to explore new and practical collaborations in the maritime domain based on convergence between India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to its development and capacity building partnership with Vietnam, through initiatives such as Quick Impact Projects, ITEC and e-ITEC initiatives, PhD fellowships, as well as projects to support Vietnam’s SDGs, digital connectivity and heritage conservation efforts.
Both Prime Ministers appreciated the successful implementation of the US$ 100 million Defence Line of Credit extended by Government of India to Vietnam, and the completion of seven Development Projects with Indian ‘Grant-in-Aid’ Assistance for the benefit of local community in Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan province.
Prime Minister expressed special satisfaction about the restoration and conservation work of the My Son temple complex in Vietnam, recently carried out by Archaeological Survey of India , and offered to work with Vietnam in other similar projects.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Day 286
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 104 crore landmark milestone
More than 66 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 104 Crore landmark milestone  today. More than 66 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10378731
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9194153
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18370944
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
15855483
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
414472586
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
136206857
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
173753422
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
94407597
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
109104471
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
65608593
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
726080154
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
321272683
|
|
Total
|
|
1047352837
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 28thOctober, 2021 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
151
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
11006
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
494
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
30004
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1802841
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2728730
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
431496
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
880495
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
264700
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
505116
|
|
1st Dose Administered in Total
|
|
2499682
|
|
2nd Dose Administered in Total
|
|
4155351
|
|
Total
|
|
6655033
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke
The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke , as part of National Health Mission , based on the proposals received from the States/UTs and subject to the resource envelope. The programme focusses on strengthening infrastructure, equipment, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation for prevention, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment of the Non-Communicable Diseases . Under NPCDCS, 682 District NCD Clinics, 191 District Cardiac Care Units, and 5408 Community Health Center NCD Clinics has been set up.
A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs i.e., diabetes, hypertension and common cancers  has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening. Screening of these common NCDs is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres. A total of 7,04,631 Accredited Social Health Activist , 2,19,113 Auxiliary Nurse Midwife /Multipurpose Workers , 28,912 staff nurses, 76,567 Community Health Officers  and 29,648 Medical Officers  have been trained on universal screening of common NCDs
Preventive aspect of NCDs is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs and for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National and International Health Day and use of print, electronic and social media for community awareness. Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted through FSSAI. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. In addition, NPCDCS gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation  activities for NCDs by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans .
Further, the Fifteenth Finance Commission  recommends grant to states for Rs. 16,377 crores in Rural Sub Health Centres & Rural Primary Health Centres  and Rs. 2,095 crores in Urban PHCs to provide support for diagnostic infrastructure with the vision of providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care close to the community.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
President's Secretariat
President of India accorded Ceremonial Welcome, holds talks with President of Djibouti; Agreement signed between the two countries
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Djibouti this morning , on the second day of his visit to the African country. He inspected a Guard of Honour along with the President of the Republic of Djibouti, Mr Ismail Omar Guelleh. The President also led delegation level talks with his counterpart. An agreement to establish regular political consultations between India and Djibouti, at the level of the Foreign Office, was signed in the presence of the two Presidents.
During wide-ranging talks with his Djiboutian counterpart, President Kovind – the first Indian President to visit Djibouti – made specific reference to areas of common concern and interest such as terrorism; renewable energy and particularly Djibouti’s support for membership of the International Solar Alliance; maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region; and technical and capacity building assistance by India to enhance employment opportunities for Djibouti’s young people.
President Kovind specifically thanked President Guelleh for Djibouti’s support during Operation Rahat, undertaken by India in 2015 to evacuate its citizens from conflict-hit Yemen.
Later in the day, the President attended a State Banquet Luncheon hosted by the President of the Republic of Djibouti. Thereafter, President Kovind left for Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, on the second leg of his two-country visit to Africa.
In Addis Ababa, Dr Mulatu Teshome, the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, made a special gesture in being present at the Bole International Airport to receive President Kovind. Subsequently, the President was accorded a Guard of Honour and witnessed an Ethiopian cultural music performance.
President Kovind is the first Indian President to visit Ethiopia in 45 years and the third overall. President V.V. Giri  and President S. Radhakrishnan  had previously travelled to Ethiopia.
The President will conclude the day by addressing an Indian community reception in Addis Ababa. His visit to Ethiopia continues tomorrow .
Ministry of Education
New Universities in the country
Six new Central Universities have been established under the administrative control of the Ministry of Education during last five years. Three deemed to be Universities have been converted into Central University through Central Sanskrit University Act, 2020, which came into force on 30.04.2020. The details are as under:-
|
|
S. No.
|
|
Name of the Central Universities
|
|
Location
|
|
1.
|
|
Central University of Andhra Pradesh
|
|
Ananthpur, Andhra Pradesh
|
|
2.
|
|
Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh
|
|
Vijaynagaram, Andhra Pradesh
|
|
3.
|
|
Sindhu Central University
|
|
Khaltsi, Ladakh
|
|
4
|
|
Central Sanskrit University 
|
|
Janakpuri Institutional Area, Delhi
|
|
5
|
|
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit Universities 
|
|
Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi
|
|
6
|
|
National Sanskrit University 
|
|
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
More than 18000 students are getting/likely to get higher education from these universities.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Vande Bharat Metro train to test run by early next year: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav; Railway stations in the state will be upgraded to world class standard
Union Railway Minister Shri. Ashwini Vaishnav has said that the Vande Bharat Metro will soon become a reality to connect shorter distances and its design and construction work is progressing. He was talking to media persons at Thiruvananthapuram Nemom railway station. 34 railway stations in the state will be developed to world class standards . Ashwani Vaishnav clarified that the railway stations and terminals of Thiruvananthapuram suburbs will be brought up to world class standards once the construction of tracks at stations including Nemom is completed. He also stated that Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, Nemom, Pettah and Kochuveli stations are being designed in such a way to preserve the heritage of Kerala.
In reply to a query, Shri. Ashwani Vaishnav said that a decision can be taken on the Silver Line project only after the environmental and technical hurdles are resolved. The Railway Minister said that a final decision regarding the Silver Line project will be taken only after consultation with the state government.
Shri. Ashwani Vaishnav pointed out that allotments are made to the states as the trains are built. and Vande Bhart was allotted to Kerala without much delay. The Union Minister also pointed out that between 2009 and 2014, the state's railway budget allocation was increased from Rs 372 crore to Rs 2033 crore at present.
Railway Board Chairman Mr. Mr. Anilkumar Lohoti, General Manager. R. N. Singh, Thiruvananthapuram DRM Shri. Sachin Sharma and other officials were also present on the occasion.
ND
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Prime Minister's Office
Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid calls on Prime Minister
Mr. Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Maldives, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. Mr. Abdulla Shahid is on an official visit to India for the 6th India-Maldives Joint Commission Meeting.
Prime Minister conveyed his compliments to FM Shahid on the achievement of the Government led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in its first year. He noted with satisfaction the enhanced level of engagement between India and Maldives and the positive outcomes of bilateral cooperation during the last one year. He expressed his confidence that the discussions during the 6th JCM would enable both sides to review progress and chart even a more ambitious way forward to further strengthen and deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to partner the Government of the Maldives for a strong, democratic, prosperous and peaceful Maldives.
Foreign Minister Shahid thanked PM Modi for his vision and strong leadership in driving the India-Maldives relationship. He expressed his deep appreciation for India’s support in various development cooperation initiatives that are currently being implemented in Maldives. He conveyed the commitment of the leadership of Maldives to its ‘India First’ policy and to further strengthening the relationship with India.
Special Service and Features
Kera Suraksha Insurance scheme for Coconut Tree Climbers with enhanced benefits from Coconut Development Board
Kochi , December 27,2021
The ‘Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme’ being implemented by Coconut Development Board for coconut tree climbers and Neera technicians had been modified with enhanced benefits from November 2020. Sum assured under the revised policy is five lakhs. This is an accident insurance policy which covers hospitalization charges upto one lakh rupees and is implemented through M/s Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. All the trainees under ‘Friends of Coconut Tree’ training programme and Neera technician training programme are covered under the policy for the first year free of cost and their entire first year premium of Rs 398.65/-shall be fully borne by the Board. The period of insurance is one year.
On expiry, the same can be renewed for ensuring continued benefits under the scheme through payment of beneficiary share of premium of Rs 99/ .Traditional coconut tree climbers aged between 18 to 65 years can also avail benefit under this scheme by payment of beneficiary share of premium Rs 99/- for a period of one year. Application form duly filled in, countersigned by Agriculture officer/Panchayath President/CPF office bearers/CPC Directors along with a demand draft for Rs. 99/-, drawn in favour of COCONUT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, payable at Ernakulam, along with copy of age proof needs to be sent to Chairman, Coconut Development Board, SRV Road, Kera Bhavan, Kochi - 682011, Kerala.
Beneficiaries share of premium can also be paid online. Application form, claim form and other details are available at Board’s website, www.coconutboard.gov.in. For further details please visit the website www.coconutboard.gov.in or contact Statistics section, Coconut Development Board, Kochi. Phone: 0484-2377266 – Extn : 255
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Special Service and Features
MoS External Affairs V. Muraleedharan to visit Djibouti
Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs
Shri V. Muraleedharan will pay an official visit to the Republic of Djibouti on 21-22 September 2022. This will be his first visit to the country. During the visit, MoS will call on the Prime Minister of Djibouti H.E. Mr. Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed and will hold talks with Foreign Minister Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and other dignitaries on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. He will also interact with the Indian community in Djibouti.
An Agreement on exemption from visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic & Official/Service Passports; and MoU between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service  and the Institute of Diplomatic Studies  of Djibouti will also be signed during the visit.
India and Djibouti share warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages. Djibouti had extended extraordinary support in the evacuation of Indian nationals from war-torn Yemen in 2015 . Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the then President of India, paid a State Visit to Djibouti in October 2017. India opened Mission in Djibouti in 2019. Bilateral trade between the two countries was valued at US$ 755 million in 2021-22. A sizeable Indian community is living in Djibouti.
The visit is expected to provide further momentum to the bilateral ties between India and Djibouti.
(ND